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No. 103 September 2012 IINSIDENSIDE FFalklandsalklands nnewsews ppeopleeople ppoliticsolitics ssportport ooilil aandnd mmineralsinerals cconservationonservation fi sshinghing aagriculturegriculture TM totourismurism Lachlan Crowie replicates the iconic 1982 photograph ‘The PDFYomper’ as he marches to Mt TumbledownEditor on June 13 with fellow Cub Scouts in memory of the nine Scots Guards killed in battle Picture Jan Miller Editorial by FIA Chairman Alan Huckle Falkland Islands Association hen the Coalition Government came of engagement between Britain and the Wto power in 2010, there seemed Overseas Territories”. Newsletter to be a marked shift in emphasis in the Signifi cantly for the Falklands, the White UK Government’s attitude towards the Paper reasserts the principle, already Published by: Overseas Territories. It was all rather endorsed in the Government’s Strategic The Falkland Islands heady stuff with both David Cameron and Defence and Security Review,that the Association, Nick Clegg stressing the importance that defence of the Nation and its Overseas Falkland House, both attached to strengthening the UK’s Territories remains “the fi rst duty of London relationship with its Territories. Long-serving Government”. More widely, the White Paper SW1H OBH cynics might have been excused then for repeats the UK Government’s commitment suggesting that this remained mere rhetoric to provide support to the Territories in the Tel 0845 260 4884 until given policy substance. But substance event of natural disaster and to meet “the ISSN 0262-9399 there now is, or at least a major step towards reasonable needs of the Territories, where it, with the publication on 28 June this year fi nancial self-suffi ciency is not possible, as Edited by: of the Government’s White Paper on the a fi rst call on the aid budget”. The safety Sharon Jaf ray Overseas Territories: ‘Security, Success net for the Overseas Territories therefore Stanley and Sustainability’. remains. Falkland Islands The White Paper is the culmination of two The White Paper says that “we want Tel 00 500 52739 years’ work and consultation, processed the Territories to be vibrant, fl ourishing [email protected] through the newly formed National Security communities that proudly retain aspects Council in the Cabinet Offi ce. So what of their British identity”. Well, that is the Editorial Committee is new? One key element is that all UK Falklands to a ‘T’. The prospects for the Ms Cindy Buxton (Chair) Government Departments have accepted Falkland Islands are brighter than ever Mr Allan Huckle that they will take the lead on engaging before; the community is fl ourishing; Mr David Ainslie with the Territories on matters falling within and there is no Territory that holds its Mrs M Christie their competence. Each had to issue a British identity so dear. The only shadow Mr Saul Pitaluga document as part of the White Paper is the oppressive intent of the Argentine exercise setting out where they expected Government. Advertising: to interact with the Territories. This is a real I commend to you David Cameron’s Full page £250 advance, if carried through. Before, the speech (see next page) to the Falkland Half page £125 Overseas Territories tended to be regarded Islands Government’s annual Liberation Quarter page £65 as solely the FCO’s responsibility – after Day reception at Lincoln’s Inn on 14 June Eighth page £35 all, it was argued, they were overseas! this year – the fi rst time that a British Prime Short insert £3 per line Matters rarely got into the Cabinet Offi ce Minister had attended the event. It is well co-ordinating machinery and only a few worth reading in full. He states that he www.i association.com other Departments took their responsibility wants a reasonable, sensible relationship towards the Territoriesseriously. Now, there with Argentina but goes on to say: Release of copyright is provision for a Joint Ministerial Council to “Let me be equally clear on this. When be convened when necessary to deal with it comes to the sovereignty of the Falkland The Editorial Committee problems and to co-ordinate policy towards Islands, there will be absolutely no releases all copyrights the Territories. negotiation. This is not a game of global on the content of Progress since the previous White Paper monopoly with nations passing a territory the Falkland Islands in 1999 is acknowledged. The annual between them… Do not underestimate our Newsletter except on Overseas Territories Consultative Council resolve. Threats will not work. Attempts to pictures, cartoons and (OTCC), to which the government leaders intimidate the Islanders will not succeed maps. Other publications of each Territory are invited, will continue as because Britain stands ready and willing to are invited to quote a forum for collective discussion – and it was stand up for the Falklanders at any time. freely. noticeable that more Ministers from other As long as they wish to remain a British Whitehall Departments attended the last Territory that is the way it will stay.” Howevever, we ask that OTCC than was usually the case. Whilst the Well, not much can get better than that quotations are made in possibility of further constitutional evolution, as a statement of the British Government’s context and the Falkand initiated by the previous White Paper, was commitment to the Falkland Islands and Islands Newsletter not ruled out, generally it was felt that the their defence and security.It came across acknowledged as the fundamental structure of the UK’s relations vibrantly in the Prime Minister’s demeanour source. with its Territories was right – that powers and delivery as he made the speech. And should be devolved to the Territories’ this strength of message and personal For further information elected representatives to the maximum commitment is constantly reasserted by turn to the inside back extent possible consistent with the UK the Foreign Secretary, William Hague, who page or alternatively retaining the powers necessary to discharge made a point of visitingTM the Falklands when contact the Editor Sharon its responsibility for ensuring security and the upcoming general election made the Jaf ray (contact details good governance. The emphasis will now prospect of a Conservative Government a above). be on ensuring closer and more practical possibility. engagement with the Territories. So, whilst the Falkland Islanders might The only slight hesitation an outside perhaps have justifi ably viewed the British PRINTED BY: observer might have is that this comes at Government (and the Foreign Offi ce) with Platinum Press (UK) Ltd a time of economic recession when all a modicum of suspicion in the past, they Tel 0844 880 4722 UK Departments have to examine their should feel fully secure now in the UK spending priorities more carefully than Government’s commitment to uphold and before. But the language of the White Paper defend their right to self-determination. and the personal commitment of the Prime With the development of an oil industry Minister and his senior Cabinet colleagues looking more realistic, Falkland Islanders PDFmake it clearEditor that this marks “a new era can look to a bright future. 2 News - politics David Cameron: Argentina’s aggression only shadow on the horizon against the odds at every level, right from face of this, I want to be absolutely clear: the top. When Margaret Thatcher was told this government’s long term goal for Latin that an Argentine fl eet was closing in on America is not bickering and hostility, it the Falklands, she was surrounded by a is partnership. We’ve been expanding chorus of caution. Advisers told her not to our missions, sending more ministers be rash, not to take risks; and if there was on trade visits; we’ve been increasing a diplomatic compromise to be had, then the number of Spanish and Portuguese she should take it. But of course, she was speaking diplomats. With Argentina in having none of it, because she knew what particular, there are so many things we was at stake. Not just the wellbeing of the could and should be working on together: islanders; not just Britain’s self-respect; managing fi sh stocks, increasing trade, but liberty itself. So she gave the order. environmental issues. This is the kind Admiral Sir Henry Leach sent a message of cooperation we need, and that is why to every ship he could fi nd, to make ready we want to have a reasonable, sensible to sail in 48 hours. Civilian ships were relationship with Argentina. requisitioned, a taskforce of more than But let me be equally clear on this. 120 vessels was put together and sent When it comes to the sovereignty of the to the South Atlantic. In retrospect, all of Falkland Islands, there will be absolutely this can seem inevitable but let’s be clear no negotiation. This is not some game of Prime Minister David Cameron that it wasn’t. It needed guts, will and global monopoly, with nations passing addresses the Falkland Islands determination, and the Prime Minister had a territory between them. It is about Government’s annual reception in all three in spades. the Islanders determining their own the Great Hall at the Honourable Retaking the Falklands was, logistically, future. This has been their home for Society of Lincoln’s Inn, London. a nightmare. I think the US Navy called almost 180 years. There are children Mr Cameron is the fi rst Prime it ‘a military impossibility’: an amphibious whose ancestors have lived there for Minister ever to address the assault in terrible conditions many generations. The roots go deep and they annual reception. Picture P Pepper thousands of miles away from home. will not be ripped out. So my message oday the Falkland Islands fl ag fl ew But from the fi rst landing, British troops for the government of Argentina is this: Tover Number 10 Downing Street and showed astonishing courage.

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